Michael Bailey Ex-Norwich City hero Gary Holt believes signing his namesake and former team-mate would be a good move for the Canaries' League One cause.Holt's former Nottingham Forest colleague, Shrewsbury striker Grant Holt, has been linked with a possible summer switch to Carrow Road as part of City boss Bryan Gunn's summer rebuilding job.

Michael Bailey

Ex-Norwich City hero Gary Holt believes signing his namesake and former team-mate would be a good move for the Canaries' League One cause.

Holt's former Nottingham Forest colleague, Shrewsbury striker Grant Holt, has been linked with a possible summer switch to Carrow Road as part of City boss Bryan Gunn's summer rebuilding job.

City's Division One-winning ex-midfielder Holt, who celebrated automatic promotion from League Two with Wycombe Wanderers last month, said: “I'd sign him up. I talk to him regularly and we are good friends, and I think he'd be a great signing.

“He works his socks off, absolutely works them off every game, and he scores goals as well.

“If it did happen for him, I'd be delighted. It would be a big club for him to go to - but I wouldn't like the stick he would give me if he moved there.”

Grant Holt, 28, has an impressive strike rate of 100 career goals in 289 appearances and, at 6ft, would provide the physical presence Gunn may be looking for - and cheaper than last season's loaned target man, Alan Lee.

“He's been top scorer when we were at Forest and I just think, for what you get out of him, he is worth it,” added Gary Holt. “He has his ups and downs like any striker, but it is never from a lack of effort.

“If he has a bad game, he's a bit like me in that he will always put his shift in.

“But I think it would cost Norwich some money to sign him, and I can't see him going cheap. Have Norwich got the money to get him?”

It is a pertinent question, with City unlikely to be the only club vying for the striker's signature.

Grant Holt cost the Shrews �170,000 last summer, signing a three-year deal at the New Meadow before hitting 20 goals in 43 League Two appearances, making him the division's top scorer last term.

The target man would certainly solve a big part of Gunn's summer plans, as the Canaries come to terms with their new, lowly status.

Relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in 49 years was the last thing the club's former midfield general wanted to see.

“I'm back living in Norfolk from this year and I've seen some of the games,” said Holt. “It is a sorry sight but the league table doesn't lie. If you're bottom after three games, then maybe, but if you're in the bottom three of the table after 46 games then that is it.

“It is a sorry state for such a big club and one I hold so high in my heart.

“You look at Newcastle and no one thought relegation would happen to them, but it proves no one has a divine right to stay up.

“It has been a long season for Norwich and it just didn't go for them. Hopefully they will get it right next season - as long as it's not at our expense!

“But it is something I look on with regret. I wanted them to keep going on to great things after I left because I have great affection for the club.”